I get positively giddy when the wisteria blooms. All winter, the vines are stark and sculptural. When the end of March...beginning of April comes, those bare vines erupt into the purple riot you see in the photo. I love walking beneath the overhang on a warm day - that is when the scent is at it's most potent. Oddly enough, the scent reminds me of bubble gum! The only time I see bumblebees is during the wisteria's blooming period. They buzz around the flowers, heavy and quite drunken with the nectar, or so it seems. If you walk up toward the front door, there is another vine on an overhang to the left of the entry. This vine is a bit different - the flowers are a very pale lavender and more fragile looking. They remind me of the flower ornaments that Japanese geisha wear in their hair. The Japanese word (according to a Japanese exchange student who stayed with us) for wisteria and the color purple is "fuji". Makes sense that the mountain in Japan bears the name, as in all of the photos I have seen of Mt. Fuji, it is a beautiful purple color.
I must tell you, this photo is a few years old. The old trunks you see no longer exist...they finally rotted on the inside. The good news is that new vines sprouted from their remains and we are once again on our way to another spring mantle of these beautiful flowers. It's not quite there yet, but it does my heart good that the vines are so hardy and have insisted on survival.
Hi Dorian,
So nice to know that your wisteria lives on!
Isn't the smell is intoxicating. It is one plant that grows on the east coast, west coast and in Texas. Were going to go walking right and the whisteria is in full swing right now.
Nice to know you have a Japanese student staying with you. You are probably both learning so much!
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | April 10, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Oh how beautiful! There is one in a little village near me that is over 100 years old.Talk about everlasting.The fragrance is equaled only by the lilac.
Such a beautiful canopy to walk beneath.
Enjoy your weekend!
xo Susan
Posted by: Miss Maddie's | April 11, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Hi Dorian,
Wisteria blooms make a grand display. What a treat to walk beneath this spectacular floral display!
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon at American Harvest | April 11, 2008 at 09:12 PM
I thought I'd check in and see if the wisteria was on stage- last year's photos is STILL beautiful!!
D.
Posted by: Donna O. | April 13, 2008 at 09:15 AM
I LOVE wisteria! We just planted a few vines in our backyard along the fence. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Becky
Posted by: Becky Ramsey | April 15, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I LOVE wisteria! We just planted a few vines in our backyard along the fence. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Becky
Posted by: Becky Ramsey | April 15, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Beautiful :)
Posted by: Felicia | April 22, 2008 at 03:54 AM